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This recipe was originally published in Mar 2019 and has been updated with new pictures, simplified instructions and video. Jump to:What are baked beans?Video RecipeWhy make baked beans from scratch?IngredientsWhy make this recipe in an Instant Pot?How to make Oven methodHow to serveStoringWhat kind of beans can I use?Do I need to soak the beans first?Pro TipsNeed more amazing side recipe ideas to take to your potluck?Tag us on Instagram!Recipe CardInstant- Pot Baked Beans
What are baked beans?
Baked beans are an American food served a lot at barbecues or picnics. Most varieties feature a parboiled white bean that have been slowly baked in some form of tomato based sauce.They have a sweet, somewhat savory flavor. Some versions may be spicy.
Video Recipe
Why make baked beans from scratch?
Often, ready made versions available at the store are made with some form of pork product, which can make buying ready made baked beans a challenge for a vegetarian. However, this homemade baked bean recipe is vegetarian and you can control the flavors you add to the recipe.
Ingredients
You don’t need much to make delicious baked beans in the Instant Pot. Here is everything you’ll need to make the best beans:
Dried pinto beans or Navy beans - you should soak the beans overnight, but if you are in a pinch, the Instant Pot makes it so you can skip soaking them Pineapple juice - adds some tangy sweetness to the beans Tomato sauce - you can use simple canned tomato sauce, avoid ones that are flavored. Spices - garlic powder, mustard powder, and salt Onion - mince a white, yellow, or sweet onion Maple syrup - for sweetness and flavor BBQ sauce - choose your favorite barbecue sauce or make your own and add it. Water or vegetable stock - use water or vegetable stock to help soak the beans overnight.
Why make this recipe in an Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot is a great tool to cook baked beans. It really reduces the cook time of the beans without sacrificing flavor. This is a the best, quick, easy and reliable Instant Pot Baked Beans Recipe ever ! And the best part is, if you forget or don’t have time to soak the beans, you can still make the beans for an easy set it and forget it meal. If you forget to soak them, no problem. Just add an extra 20 minutes to the cook time and they’ll turn out perfectly. You just need to add the ingredients to the pot, set the pressure and time, and walk away. Even if you didn’t soak the beans, it will still be ready in about an hour. You can make the beans just about any night you want to as a perfect side or as a meal by themselves. And if you are new to Instant Pot cooking, this is the perfect beginner Instant Pot recipe. And don’t worry! If you still find yourself nervous about Instant Pot cooking, we’ve got you covered with our complete beginner’s guide to the Instant Pot called Is the Instant Pot Worth It?
How to make
Making this in the Instant Pot is a set and forget meal that you can do any night of the week. Just follow these simple instructions. Start by soaking the beans overnight in vegetable broth or water. Either one is fine. If you don’t have time to soak them, don’t worry! You can still make the beans tonight and not ruin your plans. When you are ready, mince the onion and drain the beans. Add all the ingredients into the Instant Pot’s inner pot and mix them together. Place the lid on the pot and make sure the vent is set to sealing. Set the Instant Pot to high pressure and cook soaked beans for 40 minutes. If you didn’t soak the beans, set the time to 60 minutes.
Once the timer goes off, allow the pot to naturally release. Once the pressure is gone, remove the lid. Serve the beans on Hawaiian rolls or with a sweet potato, rice, or your favorite main dish.
Oven method
Make sure to soak the beans overnight in a large pot or bowl with a cover. When you are ready to make the beans, drain them and mince the onion. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F. In a large dutch oven or oven safe pot, mix all the ingredients as well as 1 cup of water or vegetable broth. Cover the pot and carefully place in the warm oven. Allow the beans to cook for 4 to 5 hours. Remove the pot from the oven and give the beans a quick stir. Serve and enjoy hot with Hawaiian rolls, rice, baked sweet potato, or your favorite main dish.
How to serve
Baked beans are delicious as a main dish. We love to eat them as the filling to Hawaiian rolls or some delicious corn bread. They make great sandwiches for dinner or lunch. You could also serve the baked beans with rice or a baked sweet potato. If you like, you can also serve the beans as a side dish to your favorite barbecue entree.
Storing
You can store cooked baked beans in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. When you store them, place cooled beans in an airtight container. We don’t recommend freezing the beans, but you could place them in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 6 months. When you are ready to serve the beans, heat them in the microwave for a few minutes until the beans are warmed through. You could also place them in a pot and reheat over medium-low heat until the beans warm through. If you froze the beans, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator first. Once they are thawed, either reheated on the stove or in the microwave.
What kind of beans can I use?
You can use several different varieties of dried beans. Traditionally, baked beans are made with pinto beans. Our recipe uses pinto beans or navy beans. You could also use Jacob Cattle Beans or Great Northern beans.
Do I need to soak the beans first?
With the Instant Pot, you don’t need to soak the beans. You will just need to increase your cook time from 40 minutes to 60 minutes. We still recommend you soak the beans first though. This aids in digestion and does cut the cook time down by 20 minutes. And soaking the beans is not hard. Just add the beans to water or vegetable broth, cover, and let them soak overnight. When you are ready to make the recipe, drain the beans and begin!
Pro Tips
If you don’t have maple syrup, you can use brown sugar or honey. If you don’t like chopped onions, you can add in 2 teaspoons dried onion powder. You can use water or apple juice in place of pineapple juice You can use navy beans, Jacob cattle beans or great northern beans instead of pinto beans
Need more amazing side recipe ideas to take to your potluck?
Perfectly Tender Baked Potatoes Baked Sweet potatoes Mexican street Corn Vegan Cornbread muffins
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Recipe Card
If you don’t have maple syrup, you can use brown sugar or honey.If you don’t like chopped onions, you can add in 2 teaspoons dried onion powder.You can use water or apple juice in place of pineapple juiceYou can use navy beans, Jacob cattle beans or great northern beans instead of pinto beans
Organic Great Northern Beans (Dried, Non-GMO, Kosher, Raw, Sproutable, Bulk Seeds, Product of the USA) — 5 Pounds Food to Live Certified Organic Pinto Beans (Non-GMO, Kosher, Bulk) (3 Pounds) McCormick Culinary Ground Mustard, 16 oz Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker and Warmer McCormick Classic Garlic Powder, Value Size, 8.75 Oz